Thursday, April 22, 2010

ISSUES

My cat, Sylvester, is having...issues.

Sylvester, in calmer days...

You may recall that we adopted him from a shelter at the advanced age of 11 1/2, separated from his brother, (his lifelong friend), his family and well, a piece of his sanity, apparently. Yes, it seemed pretty cute at first that he was hiding under his little blankie, sucking his thumb. I love him more than my luggage.

So cute, right? But as the years go by, well, Sylvester just becomes more, um, neurotic.

He's always been a crier. [read: yowler.] At night, maybe it's because he was declawed by his previous owners and can't jump up high to find our other [normal] cat, Maisy, he yowls for her. "Halllloooo?? Hallllllooooooo??"

Luckily, we have a beautiful, finished garage/gym/office area where he and Maisy, sleep at night. Because if they didn't, we wouldn't sleep a wink. Maisy, who is a perfect little lady, feels this is totally unfair, since she wants nothing more than to curl up behind my knees at night and blissfully sleep tight. But, because her love, Sylvester, can't do without her, Maisy is deprived of that coziness.
Oh, the guilt.

Lately, he's started meowing compulsively during the day. From the minute he comes in until we hold him and let him suck his little paw. Which is fine, but we can't just sit there all day and hold him. Eventually, things like dishes, showering and going to work intervene.

Anyway, we've been searching around for ways to deal with his "issues" which only became more profound after I went back to work. We've tried leaving the tv on for him. Aside from hiking our power bill higher, it didn't help. Now, he meows at us constantly. Simply walking past his 'spot' on the couch brings on a session of meowing that sounds suspiciously like "Mommy?mommy?mommy?mom?mom?mom?mom?"

Nothing deters him. Nothing. Sigh. (Note: Except when I pointed a camera at him to try to catch this disturbing behavior, he politely turned away and stopped. Hmmmm. I may be on to something here.)

So the other day, we bought this stuff that you spray on the place where he sleeps or hangs out, called Feliway Spray. Cat pheromones. And I must say, it's helped a little. I mean, every now and then, he'll settle down and relax. Look content, even.

Then...."Mommy?mommy? mom? mom? mom?"

Ideas out there? Ever had a cat like this?
It's not us, so much, you understand, but Maisy's delicate nerves are frayed.

ROFLMAO...I know not funny..but you always make me laugh! I will say that of late I have noticed his talking in the background as we are chatting on the phone is more pronounced and well.. insistant. Poor baby he is suffering from separation from you I am thinkin'. Hmmmm...catnip maybe..a kit massage hmmmm...I think maybe I will just send some calm your way and maybe that will help. So sorry hon...like there isn't enough stress already huh..without yowling kits! Hugs and love, Sarah

Hello there Barbara! i just by for a wee visit and my word kitty does have issues! Poor thing, poor you! i am sorry, but I wouldn't have a clue on how to help him, but i would love to know what works! hope you are well! ((hugs!!))

Hi Barbara - I just found your blog and it is precious! I love the name - love the picture header - love the pictures of your kitties. I have a calico kitty that could be a twin to yours - her name is Bitty Kitty. She is precious. When I was a child my parents gave me a kitty the first day of kindergartin - and Sylvester lived until shortly after I graduated from high school - that kitty name brings back many memories. I have enjoyed my visit here - we both love birds. I knit bird nests - how crazy is that!

About Me

Hi! I'm a married mom/writer living in Southern California. I write romance novels and screenplays and I've taught novel writing for over ten years. So I thought I'd blog about what's really up with the writing life from someone who's been there, done that. Welcome to my crazy life.

From Sweet Sarah

Thank you, Sarah!

*********************************************************“Whenever we think, or know, or believe, we’re lots of other people. It’s only when we feel that we are no one but ourselves.” --e.e. cummings--*********************************************************